Toy torpedo



March 3, 1936. E, CQWLES 2,033,105

TOY TORPEDO Filed May 9, 1934 EU6ENE @0 Es INVEN R k I ATTORNEY PatentedMar. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to toy torpedoes, and particularly to torpedoeswhich are in the form of a ball carried on the end of a string, andadapted to explode a paper cap, or operate some other noise makingdevice.

It is an object of the invention to provide a generally new and improveddevice of this character.

The invention will be more fully understood upon reference to thefollowing description and the accompanying drawing, referring to which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved torpedo.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the device, the section being takenalong the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation the same as Figure 2, but with theparts in a different operating position.

Figure 4 is a detail view showing the trigger.

Figure 5 is a sectional plan view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

The reference numeral I indicates the main body member of the ball orother object of shape and size suitable for throwing, which ispreferably made of wood, but any other convenient material may be used.The size of the ballis soselectedthat it may be conveniently handled andthrown by a child. The shape may be varied as desired, and I use theterm ball in the specification and claims as a generic term to cover anarticle of any suitable shape. A slot 2 is out directly through one sideof the ball, and preferably extends to about the center line. A hole 3is drilled into the lower part of the ball through the bottom of theslot, and a coil spring 4 is loosely located in the hole so as to extendupwardly therefrom.

The hammer 5 is pivotally mounted on a pin or nail 6 which is driveninto the ball from the outside and which passes through the slot 2.Thehammer is preferably formed as a flat sheet metal stamping, providedwith a perforation to receive the pin 6, a reentrant portion 1 to engagethe trigger catch, and is cut away at the inner end to form clearancefor the bottom of the slot, and an extension 8 to engage the sear spring4. The outer end of the hammer projects slightly from the side of theball so as to form a thumb-grip.

The trigger is formed from a sheet metal strip l0, preferably of springmaterial, which covers one end of the slot and is provided with lugs Hto receive nails or screws I2. The left end of the trigger, withreference to Figures 2 and 3 is not attached to the ball, but ispermitted to spring outwardly to an extent limited by the staple I 4,which is driven into the ball on opposite sides of the trigger and theslot. The free end of the trigger is provided with a hook or bent overportion l5, which releasably engages the reentrant portion 7 of thehammer. The trigger is perforated as indicated at l3 to convenientlyreceive the end of a string Hi. The string may be of any convenientlength.

A cap receiving slit I! is formed in the ball at the open end of theslot 2, just under the free end or striking portion of the hammer.Explosive paper caps, of well known construction, may be loaded into theslit H.

In operation, the free end of the hammer is moved to the position shownin Figure 2, in which it is held by engagement with the detent I5. Apaper detonating cap is loaded into the slit, the free end of the stringi6 is held in the hand, and the ball is thrown. When the movement of theball is arrested by the string, the trigger I is jerked, and the detentI is disengaged from the hammer. The spring 4, having been compressedwhen the hammer was moved to the position shown in Figure 2, now snapsthe hammer to the position shown in Figure 3, thereby exploding the cap.

It will be understood that while I have described a specific embodimentof my invention, many changes in structure and material may be madewithin the scope of the invention, and I therefore do not wish to belimited in my protection except as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A toy torpedo comprising a main body member having a slot in one sidethereof, a hammer mounted in said slot, said body member having a springreceiving opening formed within said slot,

a spring for operating said hammer mounted within said opening, saidhammer serving to retain said spring within said opening, and a pivotpin for retaining said hammer in position within said slot.

2. A toy torpedo comprising a main body member having a slot therein, atransverse slot adapted to receive a detonating cap intersecting thefirst named slot, a spring receiving opening formed in the first slot, aspring in said opening, a hammer serving as the sole means for retainingsaid spring in said opening, a pivot for said hammer, and a triggerextending over said slot and adapted to control said hammer.

3. A toy torpedo comprising a main body member having a slot therein, atransverse slot adapted to receive a detonating cap intersecting thefirst named slot, a spring receiving opening formed in the first slot, aspring in said opening, a hammer serving as the sole means for retainingsaid spring In said opening, a pivot for said hammer, and a triggerextending over said slot and adapted to control said hammer, and astring connected to said trigger.

EUGENE COWLES.

